What does off-key mean?
Off-key means (music) Above or below the correct note sequence; especially a vocalist out of sync with a separately recorded musical accompaniment.
Off-key
Pronunciation varies by accent · adjective
Meaning
(music) Above or below the correct note sequence; especially a vocalist out of sync with a separately recorded musical accompaniment.
Definitions by Sense
- (music) Above or below the correct note sequence; especially a vocalist out of sync with a separately recorded musical accompaniment
- (by extension) Not harmonious, or out of accord.
- Being an inaccurate note sequence that is either above or below where it is intended to be.
Example Sentences
The way your smile just beams / The way you sing off-key / The way you haunt my dreams / No, no—they can't take that away from me
Synonyms for off-key
Antonyms for off-key
Related Words
Word Forms
- more off-key
- most off-key
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for off-key?
Common synonyms include sour, false, unharmonious, inharmonious.
What is the opposite of off-key?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use off-key in a sentence?
The way your smile just beams / The way you sing off-key / The way you haunt my dreams / No, no—they can't take that away from me
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.